On January 19, 2023, at a meeting in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, representatives of the Ministries of Defense of nine European countries issued a joint statement called The Tallinn Pledge, in which they called for a sharp increase in Western military assistance to Ukraine in its war with Russia. The statement was signed by the Defense Ministers of Estonia, Great Britain, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania; and representatives of the Defense Ministries of Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Slovakia.
British 155 mm/39 self-propelled howitzer AS90 (c) Jane'sThe statement reads:
We, the Defense Ministers of Estonia, Great Britain, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania; and representatives of Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Slovakia met today, January 19, to reaffirm our unwavering determination and determination to support Ukraine in its heroic resistance to illegal and unprovoked Russian aggression. We condemn Russia's attacks aimed at intimidating the people of Ukraine, including deliberate attacks on the civilian population and civilian infrastructure, which may constitute war crimes. We reject Russia's continued violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as its illegal claims to annexation of Ukrainian territory.
We recognize that arming Ukraine to oust Russia from its territory is just as important as arming it to protect what it already has. Together we will continue to support Ukraine in the transition from resistance to the expulsion of Russian troops from Ukrainian soil. By uniting allies and partners, we ensure the most strategic and coordinated surge of global military support. A new level of required combat power is achieved only through a combination of companies of main tanks under the cover of air and missile defense, operating together with divisional artillery groups, and long-range strike means provided in the future, allowing to hit Russian logistics and control units in the occupied territory.
Therefore, we commit ourselves collectively to achieve the delivery of an unprecedented set of military assistance, including main tanks, heavy artillery, air defense equipment, ammunition and infantry fighting vehicles for the defense of Ukraine. This substantial assistance to Ukraine is based on our own national reserves and resources, which indicates a mutual understanding of the seriousness of the situation and our commitment to urgently increase and accelerate support for Ukraine. Having accepted this "Tallinn Promise", we will go tomorrow, January 20, to the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Group in Ramstein and urge other allies and partners to follow our example and contribute their own planned military assistance packages as soon as possible to ensure Ukraine's victory on the battlefield in 2023.
List of military aid by country:Denmark: Denmark continues to provide military and civilian support to Ukraine.
Denmark will also continue to train Ukrainian military personnel, including, among other things, a UK-led training program for Ukrainian recruits. Denmark has allocated or financed military assistance in the amount of about 600 million euros. Arms transfers and military support will continue in close cooperation with allies and in accordance with Ukraine's needs.
Czech Republic: The Czech Republic will continue to support Ukraine through the supply of military equipment, as always in close cooperation with our partners and reflecting the needs of Ukraine. We are working with our defense industry to increase their production capacity to provide even greater support, especially in terms of the production of large-caliber ammunition, howitzers and armored personnel carriers. A key component of our contribution will be the maintenance of equipment already delivered and an increase in the repair and maintenance capacity of equipment.
Estonia: The Estonian aid package consists of dozens of 155-mm FH-70 and 122-mm D-30 howitzers, thousands of 155-mm artillery rounds, artillery support vehicles, hundreds of Carl-Gustaf M2 hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers with ammunition, with a total estimated property value of about 113 million euros. In addition, in 2023 Estonia will continue to conduct both basic and special training for hundreds of servicemen of the armed forces of Ukraine.
Latvia: Latvia is preparing new aid transfers, including additional dozens of portable anti-aircraft missile systems (Stinger) and additional air defense equipment, two Mi-17 helicopters, dozens of machine guns with ammunition, several dozen UAVs and spare parts for M109 howitzers. Latvia also invests heavily in the training of Ukrainian soldiers. In 2023, Latvia plans to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in various programs, ranging from basic infantry training to specialized courses.
Lithuania: The new Lithuanian military aid package consists of dozens of L-70 anti-aircraft guns with tens of thousands of pieces of ammunition, and two Mi-8 helicopters, with a total estimated property value of 85 million euros. In addition, this year we will invest 40 million euros in procurement to support the Ukrainian military. They will include anti-UAVs, optics, thermal imaging devices and UAVs. In addition, 2 million euros will be transferred to the UK's international fund to finance projects for the acquisition of heavy weapons, such as artillery systems and ammunition, cannon platforms or armored combat vehicles. The total cost of the upcoming Lithuanian military aid package is 125 million euros.
Poland: Poland will continue to provide military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine as long as it is necessary. The new Polish aid package consists of [57mm] S-60 anti-aircraft automatic guns with 70,000 rounds of ammunition. Poland has already handed over 42 infantry fighting vehicles along with training kits for two mechanized battalions. In addition, Poland continues to supply 155-mm Krab howitzers and supplies Ukraine with various types of ammunition. Also, training of personnel in medical and engineering specialties is constantly carried out. In addition, Poland is ready to provide a company of Leopard 2 tanks with 1,000 units of ammunition. To do this, a broader coalition of Leopard 2 tank donors will be created.
Slovakia: In addition to the heavy weapons already transferred, Slovakia will continue intensive negotiations with allies on the possibilities of unblocking additional weapons for transfer to Ukraine. Currently, efforts are focused on capabilities related to main tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, air defense systems, as well as on increasing the production of howitzers, mine clearance equipment and ammunition. Specific details will be worked out in due course on the basis of a constant exchange of views with allies and partners. Slovakia will continue training Ukrainian soldiers and expand training at the request of Ukraine.
United Kingdom: the accelerated military assistance package of the United Kingdom consists of a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks with armored recovery vehicles; 155-mm self-propelled howitzers AS90, while maintaining its commitment to their deployment in Estonia; hundreds more armored vehicles and MRAP vehicles; a package of maneuver support, including anti-mine and ferrying vehicles; dozens more unmanned aviation complexes to support Ukrainian artillery; 100,000 more artillery rounds; hundreds of guided missiles, including GMLRS missiles, Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles; 600 Brimstone anti-tank missiles; a set of spare parts for repairing up to a hundred Ukrainian tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The package is additionally complemented by the ongoing basic military training and training of junior commanders of the Armed forces of Ukraine in the UK together with nine international partners, with the aim of training about 20,000 more AFU servicemen in 2023. The UK also coordinates the activities of the International Fund for Ukraine, which together with its partners has raised almost 600 million pounds. The first support package from this fund will be announced in the near future.
